Language
French
Main themes
The master thesis is a personal work that each student must complete during his master cycle. This thesis is an initiation to scientific research that allows the future engineer to study a topic of his own preference. As a future engineer, the student must identify and address a specific question by respecting the following general approach :
(1) Summarize the current knowledge about the chosen topic ;
(2) Set an experimental protocol (in a wide meaning of the term) ;
(3) Do observations (in the field or in a laboratory) ;
(4) Analyze and interpret these observations ;
(5) Draw appropriate conclusions ;
(6) Present this material in a scientific document ;
(7) Publicly defend his work
(1) Summarize the current knowledge about the chosen topic ;
(2) Set an experimental protocol (in a wide meaning of the term) ;
(3) Do observations (in the field or in a laboratory) ;
(4) Analyze and interpret these observations ;
(5) Draw appropriate conclusions ;
(6) Present this material in a scientific document ;
(7) Publicly defend his work
Learning outcomes
At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to : | |
| 1 |
At the end of the master thesis, the student is able to : · analyze scientific publications that are related to his master thesis topic, master and discuss the corresponding content and present this content in a summarized way ; · design a consistent and sound approach in order to answer a scientific question by using a state-of-the-art knowledge about the question ; · set up an experimental protocol (in a wide meaning of the term), analyze and interpret the corresponding results by the light of the scientific literature at hand and by taking into account the corresponding limitations ; · communicate the results and justify them using a rigourous scientific language, both in a printed document and during a public oral presentation in front of a jury. M.1.3, M1.4., M.1.5., M.2.3., M.2.4, M.3.1. - M.3.9., M.6.1 - M.6.8. |
Content
The Master’s thesis consists of an in-depth study of a scientific, technical, or professional issue related to bioscience engineering. It is carried out under the supervision of a thesis supervisor and, where applicable, a co-supervisor. The thesis topic is selected during the first year of the Master’s programme from among the topics proposed by supervisors, in accordance with the timetable and procedure established by the Faculty.
The work includes defining the research question and objectives, critically reviewing existing knowledge, designing an appropriate methodological approach, and collecting, generating, or analysing data. Depending on the topic, it may include experiments, field observations, laboratory analyses, modelling, surveys, case studies, or the development of technical solutions.
The results are critically analysed and discussed in relation to the objectives of the study, the scientific literature, and the limitations of the approach adopted. The work leads to the formulation of conclusions and, where appropriate, recommendations or perspectives for further work.
The thesis is presented in a written document and defended orally before an examination committee.
The work includes defining the research question and objectives, critically reviewing existing knowledge, designing an appropriate methodological approach, and collecting, generating, or analysing data. Depending on the topic, it may include experiments, field observations, laboratory analyses, modelling, surveys, case studies, or the development of technical solutions.
The results are critically analysed and discussed in relation to the objectives of the study, the scientific literature, and the limitations of the approach adopted. The work leads to the formulation of conclusions and, where appropriate, recommendations or perspectives for further work.
The thesis is presented in a written document and defended orally before an examination committee.
Teaching methods
The thesis is carried out under the supervision of a thesis supervisor and, where applicable, a co-supervisor. It may be completed individually or, for certain topics, jointly by two students as a collaborative thesis. In the latter case, both students share responsibility for the organisation of the work, the results obtained, and the final document.
Depending on the nature of the topic, part of the thesis work may be carried out outside the University, either in Belgium or abroad.
Depending on the nature of the topic, part of the thesis work may be carried out outside the University, either in Belgium or abroad.
Evaluation methods
The Master’s thesis must be defended during one of the periods of the academic year designated for thesis defences. A defence outside these periods is permitted only for students enrolled in the Masters Internship.
The thesis is assessed by an examination committee composed of the moderator, the supervisor, the co-supervisor (where applicable), and two readers. The assessment is based on three components: the work carried out during the year, the written thesis, and the question-and-answer session.
The work carried out during the year is assessed by the supervisor and, where applicable, the co-supervisor. The written thesis is assessed by all members of the examination committee except the moderator.
The thesis defence consists of two parts: an oral presentation and a question-and-answer session. By default, the defence is open to the public.
The oral presentation must be given in English. Students are given 20 minutes to present a synthesis of their work, or 30 minutes in the case of a collaborative thesis. The mark awarded by the examination committee for this presentation constitutes the mark for the course “Master’s thesis Accompanying seminar”.
The presentation is followed by a question-and-answer session, during which the moderator gives each member of the examination committee the opportunity to ask questions. This session lasts 20 minutes for an individual thesis and up to 40 minutes for a collaborative thesis. In the latter case, speaking time should be distributed equally between the two students.
The questions asked by the examination committee are primarily intended to assess the student’s knowledge and in-depth understanding of the thesis topic, as well as their ability to place their work within a broader context and relate it to connected fields. Questions may also address the scientific foundations underlying the work, including material covered in previous courses.
The final thesis mark is determined by the examination committee on the basis of a weighted average of the three assessment components: 30% for the work carried out during the year, 40% for the written thesis, and 30% for the oral defence.
The thesis is assessed by an examination committee composed of the moderator, the supervisor, the co-supervisor (where applicable), and two readers. The assessment is based on three components: the work carried out during the year, the written thesis, and the question-and-answer session.
The work carried out during the year is assessed by the supervisor and, where applicable, the co-supervisor. The written thesis is assessed by all members of the examination committee except the moderator.
The thesis defence consists of two parts: an oral presentation and a question-and-answer session. By default, the defence is open to the public.
The oral presentation must be given in English. Students are given 20 minutes to present a synthesis of their work, or 30 minutes in the case of a collaborative thesis. The mark awarded by the examination committee for this presentation constitutes the mark for the course “Master’s thesis Accompanying seminar”.
The presentation is followed by a question-and-answer session, during which the moderator gives each member of the examination committee the opportunity to ask questions. This session lasts 20 minutes for an individual thesis and up to 40 minutes for a collaborative thesis. In the latter case, speaking time should be distributed equally between the two students.
The questions asked by the examination committee are primarily intended to assess the student’s knowledge and in-depth understanding of the thesis topic, as well as their ability to place their work within a broader context and relate it to connected fields. Questions may also address the scientific foundations underlying the work, including material covered in previous courses.
The final thesis mark is determined by the examination committee on the basis of a weighted average of the three assessment components: 30% for the work carried out during the year, 40% for the written thesis, and 30% for the oral defence.
Other information
Students who have this course unit in their Annual Study Programme (PAE) are required to take the course unit “Master’s Thesis Accompanying Seminar” (LBIRE2210), in which the oral presentation is assessed.
Throughout the preparation and completion of the Master’s thesis, students must comply with the Faculty’s Master’s Thesis Regulations, available online on the Faculty website. A timetable has been established to facilitate the procedure and the monitoring of the different stages required for the completion of the Master’s thesis. Students are responsible for complying with this timetable.
Students who choose the “Interdisciplinary Programme in Entrepreneurship” (INEO) option must comply with the specific Master’s Thesis Regulations applicable to this option. The INEO Master’s thesis replaces both the Faculty Master’s thesis and the accompanying seminar.
Throughout the preparation and completion of the Master’s thesis, students must comply with the Faculty’s Master’s Thesis Regulations, available online on the Faculty website. A timetable has been established to facilitate the procedure and the monitoring of the different stages required for the completion of the Master’s thesis. Students are responsible for complying with this timetable.
Students who choose the “Interdisciplinary Programme in Entrepreneurship” (INEO) option must comply with the specific Master’s Thesis Regulations applicable to this option. The INEO Master’s thesis replaces both the Faculty Master’s thesis and the accompanying seminar.
Online resources
Information on the regulations and procedures relating to Master’s theses is available on the AGRO SharePoint site:
https://uclouvain.sharepoint.com/sites/facagro/SiteEtudiant
The Moodle page contains all pedagogical information related to the Master’s thesis. All students who have the Master’s thesis in their Annual Study Programme (PAE) are required to enrol on this Moodle page: https://moodle.uclouvain.be/course/view.php?id=3348
https://uclouvain.sharepoint.com/sites/facagro/SiteEtudiant
The Moodle page contains all pedagogical information related to the Master’s thesis. All students who have the Master’s thesis in their Annual Study Programme (PAE) are required to enrol on this Moodle page: https://moodle.uclouvain.be/course/view.php?id=3348
Faculty or entity
Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)
Title of the programme
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Learning outcomes
Master [120] in Forests and Natural Areas Engineering
